July 3, 2005

lli Wariran Volcano

The photo below shows the quietly smoldering lli Wariran volcano (don't ask me how it's pronounced) - our first 'live' one. I elected to stay behind today on our first day off since leaving Kalabahi 5-days ago and look after the gear on the beach here at Wai Matan village while the others took a hike up the 4754ft peak to have a look-see.

I thought I had the raw end of the deal having to stay at camp and spend the day with at least twenty people within 12 inches of my face (yes, it's back to the fish bowl experience), but I'm not so sure after seeing the crew tramp back into camp just 30 minutes ago, absolutely exhausted. More on their experience tomorrow I hope assuming they all wake up....

Had my first success with the spear-gun today. I wish I could say it involved some skill, but the truth is a school of fish swam past and I fired at random, skewering two in one shot. My efforts otherwise have been disastrous. I have perfected the art of chasing all the fish off any given reef in eastern Indonesia and exhausting myself in the process. There must be a knack to this spear-fishing business.